driftfleet | Sixth Blight

Who: Riona and you!
Broadcast: Yus
Action: On the Blue Fish, if you'd like!
When: Now?

[There's the distinct sound of a canine sniffing nearby when the feed turns on. Anyone with an acute ear may also hear a different kind of sound, something akin to snuffling. The animal causing it is revealed a moment later. To those not from Thedas, it looks like a pink, hairless mole. But any Thedosian would know that it's a nug.

The camera pans over to Riona, who's feeding said nug while Kiter cautiously sniffs at the other animal. She shakes her head.]

A favor for a favor, I suppose. Sister Nightingale has fallen into one of those comas. For the time being, Schmooples here is in my care. If you were expecting to see her in the interfaith center, I'm afraid it'll have to wait. [She looks over at her puppy, smiling conspiratorially.] You and I will be brainstorming what to draw on her face. Tit for tat, too.

[When she looks back at the camera, her smile falters, and pronounced concern sets in its place.]

Also, Dr. Beverly Crusher seems to be missing. Normally I'd suspect she's gone home, but her things are still here and her name still shows up on the communication device. Something is amiss. If anyone has seen her the past few days, please do let me or any of the crew on the Blue Fish know.

[Her disappearance puzzles her, along with her obvious worry. It's not like Beverly to do that, and with them having left the planet, there are only so many places she could be.]

Those matters aside, we've now returned to the dull void of space and to confinement in our ships until we make land again. There's only so much to entertain in the fleet, especially when you've been here awhile. Recently, I returned home for a few months. Here only a handful of days passed, but it felt much longer. I find myself feeling a bit homesick. So, I have a request.

[She pauses, uncertainty flitting across her face. For a moment she glances down, and finds herself fiddling with her wedding ring, which she's recently gone back to wearing on her hand. She clasps her hands together and looks back at the camera.]

But first, I suppose I should introduce myself to those who don't know me. My name is Riona Cousland [And here there's the slightest pause, a moment of hesitation. She swallows the trepidation back.] Theirin. I've been here nearly eight months.

[Whatever caused her hesitation seems to have passed. She relaxes, and continues:]

In my time, I've heard quite a few things about people's worlds. Comparing them to Thedas - where I am from - always interests me. I love hearing stories, and I'm always happy to share ones from my world, in particular the ones of my home country.

So. Let's do an exchange. A tale for a tale. It can be anything you experienced, or perhaps a legend or fable from your world that you're fond of. And I will tell you one in return. Simple enough, and a good way to pass the evening, no?

[She smiles, wiggling her fingers in good-bye before shutting off the feed.]

Flat | Top-Level Comments Only

It is very strange. This is not the first time I have been to another world, but in the other one we would watch - movies, I believe they are called. Moving pictures. One we watched had elves and halflings, but I was told it was based on a book.

[it was incredibly unsettling, seeing how close it was to her own world.

She nods] He is, yes. What sort of stories do they have?

I've heard of those and have watched a few here. Mostly they were rather ridiculous. [To put it lightly.] But I agree. I talked with a man here about dragons. He heard of them but none existed in his world, just in their works of fiction. I don't think he believed me at first when I said I had encountered some.

The elves of Thedas have a number of stories. A sect called the Dalish believe in their own gods, a belief system that dates back two thousand years. I am not terribly well versed, but I know of one or two of their stories if you want to hear.

Mm, the one I saw was ridiculous and ridiculously long. [she wrinkles her nose a little] I have encountered them, too, and it is very hard to picture them as being nothing but stories. But I suppose it is fair, considering much of what I learned of the modern world sounds unbelievable.

[she tilts her head, curious] Dalish sounds familiar . . . but yes, I would like to hear their stories if you do not mind telling them.

Admittedly I haven't asked much about that particular world, save for what I've seen here. Is it that strange?

[She pauses a moment, searching her memory for any Dalish stories she could remember. At most, a few had been told to her in passing or when she had been at the Dalish encampment during her travels. But there is one that sticks out.]

There is one about one of their gods and a mabari that I particularly liked. Fen'Harel, the Dread Wolf, came upon a Keeper and his hound one night. The Keeper was said to be wise and kind, and as these are things Fen'Harel despises, sought to twist the Keeper's mind as he dreamt and turn him against his clan. But the mabari guarded his master, even in sleep. He caught Fen'Harel going after his master and gave chase across the Fade, the realm of spirits where we go when we dream.

That hound chased him down, never relenting. He managed to run the Dread Wolf down and caught him by his tail. It's said he howled so loudly that the stars scattered in fear, and the whole Fade trembled. But that mabari never let go, nor did Fen'Harel give up. Finally, he cut off his own tail to escape.

To this day, the Dalish say that if there's a dog on guard, Fen'Harel thinks twice before playing his tricks.

Some things are? The rest do not sound possible, or are very, very different from what I am used to. I remember being offended by the thought that swordsmanship had turned into some manner of sport.

[she had been so offended at the thought. She listens quietly to Riona's story, though, intrigued]

Goodness. [she tilts her head, curious] If I may ask, what is a Keeper?

Manner of sport? Now that's very odd.

[She feels so unqualified to talk about the Dalish. If only Velanna were here...]

By my understanding, a Keeper is the sort of leader of a clan. They preserve the lore and pass on knowledge. The Dalish seek to reclaim and preserve ancient elven history.

See?

[take that, wherever you are, Kaito. Someone agrees with her]

Ah - that sounds very similar to our Elders. They do much of that, but they are also responsible for making decisions for the village, too. I believe it's the same for elves as well.

I believe a Keeper handles the decision making as well, but my knowledge of the Dalish is limited. They typically avoid humans when they can. With good reason.

[she wisely keeps the first thing that comes to mind to herself, as she's not trying to be rude, for once]

Mm, the elves of my world do not avoid humans, per say, but they do not get along, either. And my people avoid both altogether, with some exceptions.

And who are "your" people, exactly?

Ah - apologies, I'm used to being vague. [for safety reasons and all] Half-elves. We are not considered elf nor human, but rather something entirely different. [dryly] Usually some manner of insult.

Truly? Those born of an elf and human in my world are generally considered human, though they're often labelled as "elf-blooded".

[What she isn't aware of is how ostracized they often are from both communities.]

Still, I am sorry being such garners you insults.

Ah - I have never heard it put like that. I have been called half-blooded before, but at least in this, everyone is in agreement we are neither.

[she quirks a wry smile]

You needn't apologize. It is simply how it is, until my world pulls its head from it's arse.

Are there many such as yourself?

[She hopes as much. To be ostracized and alone is a terrible thing. Not that being ostracized is ever good.]

I came from a village where many of the children were like me. [she pauses, then faintly shakes her head and continues] But in my travels, I have only ever met one other.

I do know where there are other villages, though. I have never bothered to visit.

[It's rather hard for her to imagine what that must be like. Privileged upbringing and all. But she keeps that to herself and nods along.]

You had no desire to?

Mmm, no, not particularly. I would not be welcome.

[Given that she's a stranger, Riona won't pry too much.]

That's unfortunate. I am sorry to hear that.

[she shakes her head]

Thank you, but it does not upset me. It is simply how it is.

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